Admin Posted February 26, 2003 Share Posted February 26, 2003 Source Credit: Yahoo News PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers finally cut ties to Kordell Stewart on Wednesday, releasing the enigmatic quarterback who led them to two AFC title games but perplexed them with his inconsistency. The move, a foregone conclusion for weeks, allows Stewart to become an unrestricted free agent and gets the Steelers under the 2003 salary cap, which kicks in this weekend. The Steelers were about $2 million over the cap before waiving Stewart, but they clear $6.3 million of cap room -- Stewart's 2003 salary -- by letting him go. Stewart will count $1.62 million against the cap, as the prorated share of the signing bonus he got in 1999. Stewart has known since he was benched early in the season for Tommy Maddox that the Steelers would trade or release him, and he said recently he welcomes the chance to start again in the NFL. ``I'm going to have a chance to win a championship, I'll promise you that,'' he said. Stewart was as ``Slash'' in his early days with the Steelers in the mid-1990s, when they used him as a multidimensional threat who would line up as a receiver on one play and a quarterback the next. He took the Steelers to the AFC championship game in his first year as a starting quarterback in the 1997 season, but threw three interceptions in a 24-21 loss to John Elway-led Denver at Three Rivers Stadium. He later lost his starting job twice -- at the end of a 6-10 season in 1999 and again at the start of the 2000 season as the Steelers missed the playoffs for three straight seasons. But he rebounded to unexpectedly lead the Steelers to a 13-3 record and the AFC title game in 2001, winning team MVP honors and making the Pro Bowl. But, again, he threw three costly interceptions in an AFC championship game loss at home, this time to New England, and he was benched this past season after the Steelers lost their first two games and were in danger of losing a third. He got off the bench only occasionally after Maddox came off the bench to rally the Steelers to a comeback victory against Cleveland on Sept. 29, starting and winning games against the Bengals and Jaguars when Maddox was hurt. But Maddox goes into the 2003 season as the starter, with his backup still to be determined. ``In order for us to comply with the salary cap, we are forced to make some very difficult decisions,'' coach Bill Cowher said Thursday. ``He was a terrific player for us and always handled himself as a consummate professional. We wish Kordell all the best as he continues his NFL career.'' Cowher praised Stewart for remaining a team player last season and not publicly debating the decision to bench him, though Stewart was clearly stung and angered by the decision. The 30-year-old Stewart leaves the Steelers with the second-most passing yards in Steelers history (13,328) and ranked 13th in rushing (2,561 yards). Arizona, New Orleans, Baltimore, Carolina and Chicago might be among the teams interested in signing Stewart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted February 26, 2003 Share Posted February 26, 2003 Im sure Slash will end up somewhere, but Pitt made the right decision in keeping the XFL MVP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mephisto Posted February 27, 2003 Share Posted February 27, 2003 He has being considering sign with the Dolphins but they are"commited" to Fieldler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minus Posted February 27, 2003 Share Posted February 27, 2003 He has being considering sign with the Dolphins but they are"commited" to Fieldler. I rather have Fiedler anywday over Kordell... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mephisto Posted February 28, 2003 Share Posted February 28, 2003 So do I, but the fins are going to get a another QB in FA who should they get? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankeefan21 Posted February 28, 2003 Share Posted February 28, 2003 It's about time... Along with Slash, Emmitt [the NFL's all time leading rusher] Smith and Stephen Davis are also homeless... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nugget Posted February 28, 2003 Share Posted February 28, 2003 Well, It'll be weird not having Kordell on the Steelers. Well, good luck to him wherever he goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Columnist JC~ Posted March 1, 2003 Share Posted March 1, 2003 So do I, but the fins are going to get a another QB in FA who should they get? They should get Brian Grease in my opinion, but they could also try for Plummer. You release Fiedler and have an extra $5 Mill.........But I honestly think they should draft someone. I say Kingsburry Kingsburry Kingsburry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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